Despite the dry conditions, there are a plethora of local options for residents in the Arkansas River Valley who want to buy locally grown produce and products.

Located in the parking lot of West Side Church of Christ in Russellville the Pope County Farmer’s Market (PCFM),which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2011, has 14 booths that offer a variety of fresh produce, honey, baked goods, jellies and artisan products three days each week.

New this year to the Farmer’s Market was the addition of crafts.

“One lady from Hartman brings jewelry every Saturday,” Joe Russell, secretary/treasurer. said. “We have a good variety of everything at reasonable prices. There is usually more on Saturdays than through the week, because people travel from all over.”

Member and fellow gardener Gordon Trusty, who turns 90 July 16, has been bringing his fresh garden vegetables to PCFM for 32 years.

Many members, especially the newer gardeners, look to Trusty for advice.

“I try to be helpful,” Trusty said. “I like to garden and enjoy the fellowship of the other vendors. If people want good fresh vegetables, this is the place to go.”

Tri Peaks Community Market (TPCM) opened this year near The Depot in downtown Russellville and offers a wide variety of home grown goods combined with live music and entertainment.

Yancey Walker said the festival like atmosphere combined with the natural goodness of wholesome food and fun really sets TPCM apart from other farmer’s markets.

“We really wanted to create a place for local shopping and a gathering place,” Walker said. “The market goes a long way to support the downtown master plan and encourage residents to shop in Russellville, rather than travel to cities like Conway.”

Yancey said the market has already experienced a shift in the growing season and the current “hot” item has been the artisan bread.

There is face painting for the kids and the adults too, and the Tarascos Food Truck has become a favorite of the regulars.

“People come to check out the vendors and buy fresh produce and locally made goods,” Walker said. “But they also come to sample the coffee from The Crossing, shop with the local downtown merchants and the Tarascos truck has quite a following. We’ve really become a little community.”

Downtown business owner Susanne Hodges said she has been opening her shop more on Saturdays due to the increased traffic downtown and has also been enjoying the home-grown goodies herself.

She also frequents the PCFM and supports the online Russellville Community Market.

“There cannot be enough farmer’s markets,” Hodges said of the multiple options available in Russellville. “Each market has its own niche and we need more local farmers and gardeners and people frequenting the local markets. I do like the atmosphere and feel of the TPCM. There’s a big effort to keep the downtown market growing.”

The PCPF and TPCM are perfect for families and individuals looking to browse the produce vendors and select handcrafted items. The Russellville Community Market (RCM) on the other hand, offers residents a wide selection to help stock their kitchens year-round with just a few mouse-clicks.

RCM is not a co-op or buying club. It offers buyers the options to choose what they want, the quantity they need and actually lets them choose the growers they want to buy from.

“Farmers and vendors post their goods including prices available for sell,” Kim Brookshire, treasurer, said of the process. “Members can view the site and place orders from 12 p.m. on Sunday through 10 p.m. on Tuesday. Members can sign up to receive email reminders about when the on-line market opens and closes.”

Brookshire said instead of paying online, buyers pick up their orders and pay on Thursdays between the hours of 4 and 6 p.m. at All Saints’ Episcopal Church on 501 S. Phoenix Ave in Russellville.

The web site has baked goods, dairy products, eggs, fruit and vegetables, hers and spices, jams and jellies, live plants, meat, popcorn, crafts, seeds and more for sell. Brookshire said homemade Feta and Gouda cheese are two of the newer items available for purchase.

“A portion of the proceeds go to support Neighbor’s Table, which offers a free meal each Saturday,” Brookshire said. “People can also buy gift cards for others. The online market is really a great way to support local growers and buy products from vendors you can trust.”

The project is a joint collaboration with members of the community and the anthropology department at Arkansas Tech University.

For more information about the Russellville Community Market log onto www.russellville.locallygrown.net.

With so many local options, why would residents in the River Valley go anywhere else for fresh food and handcrafted products?